BFP to close Midlands depot

BFP Wholesale will close its Tamworth depot at the end of the month in a move that could see 20 jobs cut.

The closure comes after Lesaffre sold BFP Wholesale to private equity consortium Zimt Holding for an undisclosed sum in August.

Nick Harris, managing director, told British Baker it was a “business decision” as the 14-year lease was coming to an end. Of 22 staff members at the depot, 20 have been told that their jobs are at risk. The depot represents a fifth of BFP's distribution reach and its closure will create a gap in the Midlands. The company's other depots in Leeds and Livingston to the north and Sevenoaks and Highbridge to the south will remain.

Harris insisted that the company would not lose any of its circa 4,000 customers, which include Doughnut specialist Krispy Kreme and high street bakery Greggs, as they would instead be served by the remaining outlets.

Harris said: “The Tamworth depot will be closing at the end of the month as the lease is coming to an end. We will service all of that business through the other four depots, categorically. There will potentially be job losses, though they have all been offered work within the business.”